Gender, Sexuality and Women's Studies

Gender, Sexuality and Women's Studies

Gender, Sexuality and Women's Studies is an interdisciplinary program rich with opportunities for research and critical analysis. It examines and challenges assumptions and constructs about gender that affect women's and men's lives around the globe.

A central goal of the program is to help students become aware of unexamined assumptions and stereotypes about sexual and gender differences, and how they shape human organizations and institutions. Many courses also introduce students to differences of class, race, ethnic and sexual orientation in a range of societies.

Special learning opportunities

To develop students' knowledge and ability to analyze organizations that deal with gender and women's issues, a one-term internship at a designated organization in the Capital Region is recommended. Students have interned with local social services, law and media centers, childcare centers, gay and lesbian groups, women's advocacy groups and health care providers.

Students gain a global perspective of this academic discipline through several international programs, including a three-week mini-term, social movements in Argentina, which features meetings with women's activists and political leaders. A term abroad in São Paulo, Brazil, delves into women, environment and social change.

Careers

Gender, Sexuality and Women's Studies provides a foundation of knowledge that prepares students for careers in business, education, journalism, law, politics and public policy.

Meet some of our faculty

Meet some of our faculty

Claire Bracken

Associate professor of EnglishPh.D., University College DublinSpecial interests: Gender and sexuality in Irish writing

Megan Ferry

Associate professor of Chinese and Asian studiesPh.D., Washington UniversitySpecial interests: Gender and sexuality in modern China

Careers by field:

Academics:

CONTACT:

A SAMPLING OF COURSES:

A SAMPLING OF COURSES:

Introduction to Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s StudiesGSW 100

This course serves as an interdisciplinary introduction to the findings of feminist scholarship on gender, women and sexuality. The course is broad in scope and covers topics in feminist theory, the social construction of gender, and issues affecting women’s, men’s, and others’ lives throughout the world.

Internship in Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s StudiesGSW 479

An internship experience in local agencies, social services, law and media centers, women’s advocacy groups, childcare centers, gay and lesbian organizations, and others. The goal is to develop students’ ability to analyze organizations that work on issues related to gender and sexuality in the Capital Region.

Capstone Course on Theories of Gender, Sexuality, and WomenGSW 495

A required interdisciplinary course designed as the culmination of the major or minor. This course reinforces and provides a coherent perspective on the major issues in gender studies and affords an opportunity to reflect upon the importance of the chosen major and/or minor focus in light of these issues. The topic of the capstone course varies from year to year.